Electrical control circuit



Dec. 28, 1943.; B. COOPER ELEcTRlAL CONTROL CIRCUIT Filed April 25, 1942 Fig. I. 30 L VALVE l5 STARTS I CONDUCT/Ni IF mm /7 5 HAD N07 CONDUCTED Inventor: Benjamhrx Coo er;

llis Attorneg.

Patented Dec. 28, 1943 I 2,337,871 ELECTRICAL CONTROL cmcurr Benjamin Cooper,

Scotia, N. Y., a'ssignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New- York Application April 25, 1942, Serial No. 440,465

3 Claims. (Cl. 250-27) My invention relates to electric control circuits and more particularly to improved electric control circuits for controlling one of a plurality of electric valve means in response to the conductivity of another of the electric valve means.

In many applications it is desirable t initiate conduction of one electric valve means in accordance with conduction of another electric valve means such as for example, in electronic circuits used for resistance welding. In these circuits electric valve means are often reversely connected with respect to both the alternatin current supply circuit and the welding load circuit so that alternating current of variable magnitude may be transmitted to the load circuit during accurately determinable intervals of time established by a timing circuit. It is advantageous to control only one of the reversely connected electric valve means by this timing circuit and to control the otherelectric valve means in accordance with the intervals of conduction of the first electric valve means in order to simvided to determine the duration of the periods of energization of the load circuit. The other electric valve means is controlled in accordance with the conductivity of the first electric valve means by means of a capacitor which is connected in series with a unilaterally conductive device and across the principal electrodes of the first electric pliiy the control circuit required for the timing electric valves. In accordance with the invention I provide an improved of both teachings of my control system of this character which, while not limited thereto,

is particularly adapted to control in leading and trailing relationship, a pair of reversely connected electric valves which are to operate intermittently to efiect intermittent energization of an alternating current load circuit.

It is an object of my invention to provide a new and improved electric control circuit.

It is another object of my invention to provide an improved circuitfor controlling one of a pair of electric valves disposed to conduct during succeeding half cycles of voltage in accordance with the conduction of the other of the valves.

It is a further object of my invention to provide an improved electric control circuit for controlling a pair of electric valves in leading and trailing relationship which operates satisfactorily with loads of widely varying power factor.

It is still another object of my invention to provide a newand improved electric control circuit for effecting the intermittent energization of a load circuit through electric valve means which requires a minimum of control equipment.

In accordance with the illustrated embodiment of my invention I provide a control circuit for a pair of reversely connected electric valves which eflects intermittent energization of the load circuit energized by the valves and in which only one of the reversely connected valves is controlled directly by the'operation of a timing circuit procharged in response to a voltage of the second valve means. The capacitor is charged during the positive half cycle of voltage impressed on the first mentioned electric .valve means when said electric valve means is non-conducting. This capacitance is connected in series with a source of periodic voltage and to the control member of the other electric valve means. The periodic voltage is derived from the alternating current supply circuit energizing the principal electrodes of the reversely connected electric valve means and is substantially in phase therewith so that it tends to render the electric valve means conductive. The voltage of the capacitor tends to maintain the control electrodes negative so that when period of nonconduction of the first mentioned electric valve it tends to prevent the second valve from conducting. A discharge circuit continuously conductive with respect to the voltage of the capacitor is connected in parallel therewith so that the negative or hold-off voltage of the capacitor may diminish in magnitude during a period of conduction of the first mentioned electric valve means. nitude of the voltage of the capacitor and of the periodic voltage which is in phase with the anode electric valve is chosen so that the second electric valve means conducts for each half cycle of voltage immediately following a half cycle of conduction of the first electric valve means.

For a better understanding of my invention reference may be had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims. Fig. 1 of the drawing shows diagrammatically one embodiment of my invention, and Fig. 2' represents certain operating characteristlcs of the system of Fig. 1.

Referring to Fig. 1, the primary winding ill of a resistance welding transformer Ii is connected to be energized by alternating current from an alternating current supply circuit I2. The interval of energization of and magnitude of the current supplied-to the primary winding 10 are controlled by reversely connected electric valve means l3 and I4 interconnecting the supply circuit l2 and the primary winding l0. As illustrated, the electric valve means l3 and I4 comcathode circuit of an temating current supply circuit prise electric valves l5, l6 and l1, l8, respectively. Electric Valves l and I! each comprise an envelope within which cathode of conducting liquid 20, and an immersion 2|. The electric valves l6 and I8 are preferably of the-type utilizing a gas or vapor and each comprises an anode 22, a cathode 23, and a control member or grid 24. As illustrated, the valves l5 and II are connected in the energizing'circuitoi the immersion igniter controlmembers 2| of the electric valves I5 and H. The anode of electric valve |6 is connected .to the anode of electric yalve- 5 through a resistor and the cathode joPelectric valve I6 is connected to the immersion igniter control member 2| of valve l5.

Similarly, the anode of electric valve I8 is connected to the anode of electric valve I! through a resistor 25 ,and the cathode thereof is consuch' as mercury,

nected to the controlmember of electric valve l1. It will be readily understood that the electric valve means i3 and I4 need not each comprise two electric valves and if desired two valves of the type of construction of valves l6 and i8 may be connected directly in the power circuit.

In order to efiect the energization of the welding transformer H for a predetermined number of cycles of the supply circuit i2 I provide an electronic timing circuit for controlling the energization of the control electrode 24 of electric valve 8. The timing voltage is impressed on the control member of electric valve l8 through a current limiting resistor 26 by means of conductors 21 and 28 which are energized from an electronic timing circuit designated generally by the numeral 29. The timing circuit is energized from direct current lines 30 and 3| which are energized from the alternating current supply circuit |2 through a transformer 32 and an electric discharge device 33 which is connected with the secondary winding 34 of the transformer to provide a full wave rectifier. The output of the rectifier is filtered by inductance 35 and capacitance 36 before it is impressed on the direct current lines 39 and 3|. The voltage of the control member 24 is maintained at a definite value by the conductor 21 which is connected to a voltage dividing resistor 3! by an adjustable tap are housed an anode IS, a'

igniter type of control member 39. The resistor 3'! is connected across a portion of resistor 39 by means of adjustable taps 49 and 4|. Resistor 39 is in turn connected across the direct current lines 30 and 3!. A parallel circuit from the direct current line 39 to an adjustable tap 42 on resistor 39 is completed through a resistor 43, capacitor 44, the normally open contacts 45 of a switching device 46, and the anodeelectric valve 41. In addition to the contact 45, the switch 45' includes fixed contacts 49, a movable contact 49 and an operating coil which is energized from the direct current lines 30 and 3I'under the control of the manual switch 5|. The movable contact 49 bridges the fixed contacts 48 when the coil 50 is deenergized and'is moved into contact with fixed contacts 45'when the coil 50 is energized. When the contacts 48 are bridged by contact 49 a discharge circuit for the capacitor 44 is established through a resistor 52. When the coil 50 is energized a charging circuit for condenser 44 is established through electric valve 41, fixed contacts 45, and the movable contact 49. In order to synchronize the initiation of the charging of the condenser 44 with the voltage of the al- |2 the control member oi the valve 4-! is maintained nonconductive by a negative bias obtained from the lower portion 53 of resistor wave of voltage impressed on the anode of electric valve l7. As i ustrated in the drawing, this bias is obtained by connecting a capacitor 58 across the principal electrodes of electric valve through. a unilaterally conducting device 59 which may be an electric discharge valve or, as illustrated, a contact rectifier. A suitable impedance element such as resistor 69 is connected dependently of the conduction of the firing valve The cathode-to-control electric valve I6 is completed from the condenser 58 through a transformer winding 62 energized from-the transformer 32 to supply control member 24 of valve IS an alternating current voltnating current supply circuit |2 energized and the cathodes of 41 is nonconductive. The condenser 44 at this time is fully discharged by the discharge circuit established therefor when switch 46 is in the deenergized position and bridging contact 49 engages fixed contacts 48. When it is desired to initiate a period of energizationof the load circuit switch 5| is closed.

winding 54 the electric ductive. This reduces valve 41 is rendered com the voltage of conductor 28 and the cathode of electric valve l8 to substantially the voltage of the tap 42 which is at a substant al negative potential with respect to the control member 24 of the valve Hi. This renders the electric valve I8 conductive which in turn passes sufiicient current through the immersion igniter control member of electric valve I! to initiate discharge therein. Upon initiation of tablished through resistor ing positive half ll when valve discharge in electric valve 41 condenser 44 starts to charge and after a predetermined time the voltage of conductor 18 approaches the voltage of direct current line 80 and thus becomes more positive than the control member 24 to render electric valve l8 nonconducting. Thus, after a predetermined number of positive voltage depending on the position ing. When the switch 45 is released the anodecathode circuit of electric valve 41 is interrupted and the discharge circuit for condenser 44 is es- 52 to insure that the condenser is fully discharged when it is desired to initiate another period of energization of the load circuit. Thus far the description of operaof the timing circuit in connection with valve means l4 comprising valves I1 and I8. The electric valve means I8 is rendered conductive for each half cycle immediately following a period of conductivity of the valve means l4 by a circuit including condenser 58 which is charged in accordance with the voltage across the principal electrode of electric valve I] through the unilaterally conducting device 59 and resistor 60.

It is to be noted that the device 58 is poled in such a way that the condenser 58 is charged durcycles of voltage. impressed on the valve i! so that the condenser is charged during periods of positive anode voltage of device l1 does not conduct. The voltage on condenser 58 has superimposed thereon an alternating current voltage from the winding 82 which is preferably in phase with or advanced with respect to the anode-cathode voltage of the electric valve l5.

conductive during the half cycle thatthe anode thereof is positive the condenser 58 is charged to impress a negative voltage of suflicient magnitude on the control member 24 of electric valve 7 iii to render electric valve l4 nonconducting during the succeeding half cycle. If, however,

electric valve I1 is rendered conductive the voltage for charging capacitor 58 is reduced to the arc drop of valve l1 and condenser 58 discharges through resistor during the half cycle that electric valve [1 is conducting. At the beginning of the next half cycle the voltage of condenser 58 is reduced to such a value that the alternating current component of voltage of winding 52 is sufficient to render electric valve l5 conducting, In this way the electric valve is made to conduct for the next half cycle following conduction of electric valve l1 and to remain nonconductive for any half cycle immediately following a half cycleof nonconduction of electric valve i1. This is often referred to as controlling the electric valves l1 and I5 as leading and trailing valves, respectively. r:-

A better understanding of the relation of the various voltages of the circuit of Fig. 1 may be had by reference to Fig. 2 in which E12 represents the voltage of supply circuit l2. It is assumed for purposes of this explanation that electric valves l5 and I! are disposed in the circuit so that valve. l5 may conduct during the positive half cycles of the voltage E12 and valve l1 may con duct during the negative half cycles of the voltage E12. The voltage on the condenser 58 is illustrated by the curve E58. voltag'e reaches its maximum negative value at the end of a half cycle of voltage during which the valve l1 or the leading valve has been maintained non-conductive by its control member and that half cycles of of tap 38, the. electric valve means 14 is rendered nonconduct-' Thus, if electric valve i1 is non-' valve II had not pair of principal the voltage or the capacitor decreases during the succeeding half cycle of voltage during which the if it were not valve I5 is disposed to conduct maintained nonconductiveby its control member. However,' the resultant voltage of the control member. 24 of the firing valve I of electric valve I5 is still negative which showsthe voltage resulting from superimposing the alternating current voltage of transformer winding 82 on the voltage of the condenser 58. However, when electric valve l1 conducts the voltage of condenser 58 continues to reduce in magnitude and, as illustrated at the right-hand end of Fig. 2, the resultant voltage on the control member 24 of valve l8 becomes more positive than the critical voltage at the beginning of the next half cycle of voltage immediately following the half cycle during which the valve l5 conducts. The dotted curve shows the voltage of condenser 58 which would have existed if been ren' ered conductive.

While I have described what I at present consider the preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from my invention, and I, therefore, aim in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent oi the United States is:

1. In combination, an alternating current supply circuit, a load circuit, reversely connected electric valve means interconnecting said circuits for controlling the alternating current supplied to said load circuit, control electrodes for controlling the conductivlties of said. electric valve means, means for impressing a voltage on one of said control electrodes to control the conductivity of one of said electric valves, means comprising a capacitor and a unilaterally conductive device conductively connected across said one of said electric valve means for producing a bias voltage, and means connecting said capacitor with the control electrode of said other electric valve means to render said other electric valve means conductive only during half cycles of voltage of said supply circuit immediately following a period of conduction of said one electric valve means.

2. In combination, an alternating current supply circult, an alternating current load circuit, reversely connected electric valve means interconnecting said circuits. and each comprising a electrodes and a control electrode, means for impressing on the control electrode of one of said electric valve means a voltage for rendering said valve means conductive for a predetermined number of half cycles of said alternating current supply circuit, means for energizing the control member of the other of said electric valve means to render said other electric valve means conductive for each half cycle of said supply circuit voltage immediately following a half cycle of conduction of said first electric valve means comprising a capacitor, means for charging said capacitor in accordance with the voltage of the principal electrodes of said first mentioned electric valve means, a source of voltage-having the periodicity of said alternating current supply circuit, means connecting said capacitor and said source of periodic voltage in circuit with the control electrode ofas illustrated by the curve Eta idischargeeircuit continuously conductive with valve means is maintained nonconductive by the respect to the voltage 01' said capacitor for disstate of energization of the charging said capacitor during the interval that soclated therewith, means said first mentioned electric valve means is concontrol voltage on the cont ductiv'e. l other electric valve means with a polarity tend- 3. In combination, an alternating current suping to render said other electric valve means nonply circuit, an alternating current load circuit, conductive, a discharge path continuously conreversely connected electric valve means interductive with respect to said control voltage proconnecting said circuits for transmitting alterducing means for decreasin nating current therebetween, control electrodes 10 said control voltage durin valve means, means for impressing a voltage on tive to render said see one of said control electrodes to render one of valve means conductive in response to a period of said electric valve means conductive, means reconductivity of said first mentioned electric valve sponsive to the voltage impressed on said one elec- 15 mean tric valve means for producing a unidirectional BENJAMIN COOPER. 

